Recycling at Home

Recycling is not just about paper, cans, and plastic. Some examples:

• Some items can be shredded or melted and then used to make more of the same:
  • paper of all sorts
  • cardboard
  • consumer plastic containers
  • aluminum cans
  • "tin" ("bimetal") cans: they're actually steel cans with a tin lining
  • glass
• Some items can be used to generate energy, reducing dependence on other fuels:
  • wood waste (e.g., scrap lumber)
• Some items can be "chipped" and re-used as mulch, filler, or for another purpose:
  • tree trimmings
• BOPA: some items need to be kept out of landfills because they may be toxic to water supplies:
  • batteries, both lead-acid (heavy equipment) and lithium-ion (rechargeable electronics)
  • oil
  • paint
  • antifreeze and other "household" chemicals
• Some items need to be kept out of landfills because they may be toxic to the environment if not disposed of properly:
  • computers, especially CPUs and monitors
  • home appliances ("white goods"), especially refrigerators and air conditioners
  • fluorescent light bulbs
• Some items can be re-used by others; the trick is to find who can make use of them:
  • cell phones: women's shelters give them to battered women. No account necessary: the phones are set to call only 9-1-1.
  • eyeglasses: charities distribute them to those in need
  • arts and crafts supplies: every preschool needs them
• Some items can be sold by charities to fund their operations
  • Goodwill
  • Salvation Army
  • Various resale shops, such as the Bluebird Shop, the Guild Shop, etc.

Get the idea? Check your city's Web site (usually under "Solid Waste Department" or "Public Works") to find out what recycling is available in your neighborhood.

There are two major drive-through recycling centers near the Texas Medical Center ("near" being a relative term in Houston!).

• The City of Houston Westpark Recycling Center is at 5900 Westpark, near 59 and Chimney Rock
  • Take 59 South to Chimney Rock
  • Turn left, go one block past the frontage road to Westpark; turn right
  • The recycling center is on your right, before you get to the next light
  • It's drive-through: you don't even have to get out of your car
• The West University Place RecycleXpress center is at 5004 Dincans, near Westpark and Kirby
  • Take Kirby north almost to the 59 freeway
  • Turn left on Westpark (it's a light)
  • Go one block and turn left on Dincans
  or
  • Take Bissonet west, one block past Kirby
  • Turn right on Dincans

There are others, as well, but those are the two with hours that are most commuter-friendly.

The "Freecycle" movement has several groups in the Houston area. Check out http://freecycle.org . Items are given to others (non-profit groups as well as individuals) who can make use of them. Who would guess that toilet paper rolls are such a hit with preschoolers?

So where can you "recycle" items?

• Aerosol cans: Westpark
• Aluminum cans: Westpark, RecyclExpress
• Antifreeze: Westpark
• Arts and crafts supplies: Westpark or Freecycle
• Batteries, car: Westpark
• Batteries, lithium-ion (electronics rechargeable): UTHSC
• Batteries, household single-use ("alkaline"): Westpark
• Carboard: Westpark, RecyclExpress
• Cell phones: West University Place service counter @ 3826 Amherst Some Half-Price Books have collection containers, as well
• Cleaners, solvents, pool chemicals: Westpark
• Computers and other electronics: Westpark, RecyclExpress
• Eyeglasses: collection bins at Randalls and Whole Foods markets
• Glass: Westpark, RecyclExpress
• Hangers, clothes, wire: Craigs and other dry cleaners. And: use them to take used clothes to resale shops
• Hearing aids: Whole Foods market
• Motor oil: Westpark. Many neighborhood gas stations will accept, it--call and check
• Peanuts and other packing materials: re-use at the office or take to a pack-and-ship store (call them first)
• Paint, latex: Westpark
• Paint, oil or alkyd: If at all possible, use it up. Try "Freecycle"
• Phone books: UTHSC blue paper barrels
• Plant containers, flats, etc.: Teas Nursery, 4400 Bellaire Blvd
• Plastic grocery bags: Randalls and Whole Foods. Or use them to line waste-paper baskets
• Plastic containers, #1 and #2 (look at the bottom): Westpark
• Tires: Westpark
• Tin (bimetal) cans: Westpark, RecylExpress